COACHING AND REPAIRING AS A DUAL BUSINESS.
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• A Prominent Bristol Automobile Engineering Concern Who Entered the Motor Coach Business in 1920, and have Done Much to Popularize Coaching in the West of England.
MANY AUTOMOBILE and general engineering establishments have, dnring the past few years, entered the motor coach business, and we regard this as a good and healthy sign, for these proprietors, many of whom have years of mechanical engineering experience, possess a full appreciation of the absolute. necessity for mechanical fitntss in order to ensure the efficient operation of motor vehicles. Moreover, when firms in this position launch out into the‘chara-bancs business, they are not compelled to sink further capital in the equipment of a repair shop, Which is, of course, already in being for the conduct of their ordinary business, and may not even require enlargement to meet the new set of conditions.
A motor coach owner is either compelled to establish a repair shop of his own, or else to get such work as may be required to keep the vehicles in trim dona by a reliable concern of repairers. Li the first case, a considerable sum of money has to be expended, especially if the user is operating half a dozen or more vehicles, on the purchase of machine tool plant.
The equipment that would be deemed essential for about six coaches would consist of a screw-cutting lathe, a pedestal drill, a small grinder, a small hand-blown forge, and an anvil, a small shaping machine and a portable electric drill plus the usual fitter's tools. The whole of these items would entail ari ex penditure of close upon £200. Iwo fitters would probably be found sufficient in a repair shop provided for the upkeep of a small fleet.
It is perfectly clear, of course, that it is an advantage for a coach owner to he independent of outside assistance, for he is able to avoid unnecessary delay (which would mean much loss of custom during the height of the season), and at the same time, he is able to keep his repair bill down to the minimum. During the peak peaand of the season, a user would probably be able to keep his repair department in full working, whilst in the slacker period of the year he might be able to arrange to undertake repairs for other users, both private and commercial, which would all help to bring grist to the mill.
For the coach owner who is new to the business, and has still to feel his way, it is undoubtedly preferable, where repairs are reouired, to enlist the services of a local repairer. With one or two vehicles only in use, the establishment of a repair shop. would be unnecessary and unremunerative. One has to bear in mind that the best known Makes of British chassis have reached such a stage of mechanical perfection that, on an average, for the first 20,000 miles or so, little but running repairs would Ise required, and that, even if these are beyond the ability of the user to undertake, they do not require the disbursement of much money.
A fleet of motor coaciaes winch is blithe fortunate position of being backed by a sound engineering concern is that named the " Greyhound " chars-a-bancs, which are run by Messrs. Toogood and Bennett, of 96, West Street, Old Market, Bristol. It was in March, 1920, that this well-known. West -of England company decided to extend, their haulage business by running motor coaches anti, from the time they put their first passenger vehicle into service, they have gone ahead in a very enterprising fashion. The company had five vehicles in use during the 1920 season, all of them being of Dennis manufacture and purchased through local agents, viz., Messrs. F. C. Cox and Co., and Howard Stephens, Ltd. .
The fleet of coaches are all 28 seaters, and the company have found that this type of vehicle is best suited to local requirements, whilst their experience has led them to the opinion that, frequently,
the smaller venicle is apt to be not so well constructed, and, moreover, does not provide the comfort of its larger prototype. It is seldom that their patrons demand a small coach.
It is curious that, in certain other localities, the opposite pertains, and there appears to be a general tendency -on the part of proprietors to popularize -the smaller coach for certain classes of touring. The 28 seater, however, continues to be the type which provides the 'most remunerative return.
The company are in the envIabie position of being sitnated on the fringe of some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and they have not been slow to take advantage of their natural sur roundings. When one bears in mind that Greyhound Motors, Ltd.—for such is the title of the limited company, -which has recently been registered to carry on the company's peach-in.activities—is only in its infancy-, the number of tours which they have organized is remarkable.
The copyright maps, which we reproduce herewith by permission of the Motor Tours Publishing Co., of Bristol, will give sCiECte idea of the class of tours arranged. In an extremely interesting handbook, which the company have had compiled for the present season, we notice that there are 22 individual tours, quite apart from numerous short runs. Esv peasant we might suitably mention that this fertnclhook is written in a most readable fashion, and lucidly describes the various places of historical and picturesque interest which are passed en route, whilst photographic reproductions, many maps, and a series of thumb-nail sketches add to its value. Published at one shilling net, this handbook should find a ready sale amongst those participating in the tours arranged by the company.
The longer distance tours include runs to Minehead and Dunster; Wateliet-and Blue Anchor; Exe Valley and Mine head; Exeter and Exmouth; Sid.mouth, Polden Hills, Glastonbury, Wells and Cheddar ; Burrington Combe and 'Cheddar; Burnham-on-Sea and Westons.uper-Mare ; Weymouth; Stonehenge and New Forest; Frome and Longleat; Symonds Vat; &road Valley, Cirencester, and Tetbury, etc.
During the spring short tours are in favour, but, with the advent of longer and warmer days, the extended tours become very popular.
The length of the season in Bristol extends from May until September. During the remaining months of the year, the vehicles undergo a thorough overhaul in readiness for the forthcoming season's work, and with the ex
caption of occasional football and dance parties, no winter use is found for them —the company being staunch believers in the utilization of a passenger vehicle for passenger work solely.
The company arrive at. their charges by adding a small profit to the inclusive total of running costs, depreciation, and the cost of an annual Overhaul. This is a very fair method of reckoning, and if only proprietors in certain other towns, where cut-rates have done much harm to local coaching endeavours, would work on a similar basis, the Stability of the motor coach husinesS would be assured, and more co-operation amongst proprietors would 'result.
-The five vehicles covered 25,000 miles in the aggregate during last season, and this total calls forcommendation on those responsible for the maintenance of the fleet. An example of the importance which is set on mechanical efficiency can be gathered from the fact that, during the season, a maintenance staff is employed both day and night, so that no vehicle is put on the road 'unless it is in Jip-top condition.
No special-system has been devised for the control of the fleet, but each evening the drivers hand in reports showing the times occupied on their respective journeys, the number of passengers carried, and other desirable _items of in
formation. If they have been on a contract run, the hirer is asked to sign a statement to the effect that the journey has been to his entire satisfaction., The report.sheets also have-a space on which drivers are asked. to state what repairs are required to be carried out to the vehicles in Itheir charge Mr. Sydney T Toogood is the enterprising managing director of Greyhound Motors, Ltd., and he is ablY assisted by Mr. W. T.. Bennett, works manager, Mr. A. E. Bryant, traffic' manager, and Mr. A. E. Richatds, secretary to the company.